Orthodontist or Jaw Surgeon

Regular oral care routines of brushing teeth, flossing

, and scheduling regular appointments with the dentist are ways to establish oral health as well as general health. However, in some severe cases, no amount of excellent oral hygiene will correct certain ailments and oral related problems. In such acute cases often the use of orthodontics and/or jaw surgery may be employed.

Jaw abnormalities can be generalized by referring to any anomaly of the jaw's bone structure. These may include: asymmetrical structure, structural deficiency or excess growth. In patients that have a jaw abnormality their routine activities such as sleeping, chewing, talking and any other subconscious routine activities are negatively impacted and disrupted. In order to remedy the problem various types of treatment are prescribed to the patient.

Typically prescribed first is orthodontics. Orthodontics is the least invasive and has a high success rate of correction with patients having a jaw abnormality. Patients are usually required to wear orthodontics for 1-2 years. Orthodontics are more normally known as braces; describing the interaction of brackets and wires that brace against jaw growth and movement in order to place it in a desired position.

Patients get regular adjustments to the orthodontics and will be assessed after an allotted time has elapsed. Retainers, mouth guards, headgear or removable bite plates may be given to patients as a maintenance measure. Following the removal of the braces, these temporary mouth pieces are usually prescribed for 6 month intervals depending on the physician's recommendation and severity of the case. It is up to the doctor's discretion as to the length of time necessary to wear the pieces depending on the severity of the case or the success of the orthodontic regiment.

From time to time orthodontics cannot do the job, and surgery is needed.

Due to the sensitive nature of any surgical procedure, physicians are thorough and careful in their preparation. Ahead of surgery, extensive planning sessions are scheduled for each patient. Expectations, preparation, recovery time and follow-up appointments are discussed at length. Most physicians, using state-of-the-art know-how, create test models of patients to practice the surgery before performing it on the human patient. This allows the surgery to be mapped-out and any minor difficulties to be sorted out beforehand.

In many offices, the use of computerized technology has been introduced. By using digital technology a uniquely tailored treatment and recovery plan can be created for each patient. Due to the use of titanium plates and miniature screws, physicians have elevated the strength and reliability of the surgery.

For the procedure a general anesthetic is utilized while the patient's jaw is fractured and repositioned to correct the issues. The procedure consists of fracturing and resetting of the patient's jaw to solve the problems. A typical surgery time is 3 to 6 hours with an expected discharge after a week.

Though undergoing any surgery is an overwhelming possibility, the combination of orthodontics and jaw surgery has a high success rate of treating patients afflicted with jaw anamolies. A patient's quality of life is improved, appearance is improved and daily tasks are easier to execute after surgery. Each case is individual and unique to the patient and treated as such by the physician. In some cases surgery is unnecessary and in some others required; regardless of the situation, oral physicians will provide all the information necessary for a patient to make an knowledgeable decision regarding which oral treatment avenues to take.

Orthodontist or Jaw Surgeon

By: Jose Ballard

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